Pell Grants

Definition

Pell Grants are need-based federal financial aid awards that provide funding for undergraduate students from low-income families to help cover the cost of higher education. They are a cornerstone of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society initiatives aimed at expanding educational opportunities and reducing poverty.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor's degree, and the maximum grant amount is adjusted annually based on federal funding levels.
2. Eligibility for Pell Grants is determined by the Student Aid Index (SAI), which measures a student's financial need based on factors like family income, assets, and household size.
3. Pell Grants are considered 'last-dollar' aid, meaning they are applied after other scholarships and grants to cover any remaining tuition and educational expenses.
4. The Pell Grant program has helped millions of low-income students access and complete higher education, playing a key role in the Great Society's efforts to expand educational opportunity.
5. Funding for the Pell Grant program has fluctuated over time, with recent efforts to increase the maximum award amount to keep pace with rising college costs.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and significance of the Pell Grant program within the context of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society initiatives.
  • The Pell Grant program was a cornerstone of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society initiatives, which aimed to expand educational opportunities and reduce poverty in the United States. Pell Grants provided need-based financial aid to help low-income students access and complete higher education, aligning with the Great Society's goals of creating a more equitable society and expanding the middle class through increased access to education and economic mobility. The Pell Grant program has been instrumental in making college more affordable and accessible for millions of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, playing a crucial role in the Great Society's efforts to create a more inclusive and opportunity-rich America.
• Describe the process for determining a student's eligibility and the amount of Pell Grant funding they can receive.
  • Eligibility for Pell Grants is determined through the Student Aid Index (SAI), a formula that assesses a student's financial need based on factors such as family income, assets, and household size. The SAI is used to calculate the expected family contribution (EFC) towards the student's education costs, and the difference between the EFC and the cost of attendance is used to determine the Pell Grant award amount. Pell Grants are considered 'last-dollar' aid, meaning they are applied after other scholarships and grants to cover any remaining tuition and educational expenses. The maximum Pell Grant award is adjusted annually based on federal funding levels, ensuring that the program continues to provide meaningful financial assistance to low-income students seeking to pursue higher education.
• Analyze the long-term impact of the Pell Grant program on expanding educational opportunities and promoting social mobility within the context of the Great Society.
  • The Pell Grant program has had a profound and lasting impact on expanding educational opportunities and promoting social mobility, aligning with the broader goals of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society initiatives. By providing need-based financial aid to millions of low-income students, the Pell Grant program has helped make college more accessible, enabling these students to pursue higher education and acquire the skills and credentials necessary for upward economic mobility. The program has been instrumental in increasing college enrollment and completion rates among students from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping to break the cycle of poverty and create a more equitable and inclusive society. Moreover, the Pell Grant program's emphasis on expanding educational opportunities has contributed to the Great Society's broader efforts to address issues of poverty, social injustice, and economic inequality, making it a crucial component of Johnson's vision for a more just and prosperous America.

Related terms

Higher Education Act of 1965: The federal law that established the Pell Grant program and other student aid programs to make college more accessible, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Basic Educational Opportunity Grant (BEOG): The original name for the Pell Grant program when it was first created in 1972, named after Senator Claiborne Pell who championed its establishment.

Student Aid Index (SAI): The formula used to determine a student's financial need and eligibility for Pell Grants and other federal aid, based on factors like family income, assets, and household size.